Khoai Chau is famous for specialties of marine products. One of those is An Vi braised fish which is simple but indispensable in each family’s banquet...

According to the local elderly, Khoai Chau not only used to have such many rivers, lakes and ponds but also lied along Red River. Apart from Tofu, tourists can enjoy the braised fish which is made in a specially sophisticated way and an indispensable dish on traditional Tet holidays

The ideal fish is the big carp or grass carp with full ingredients especially thinly sliced alpinia, pig bones which must be chopped ribs or spines. The volume of braised fish depends on the number of family members, but in order to prepare for Tet, many An Vi families make a lot of braised fish, some make up to 5 kgs of fish. Previously, An Vi family started to braise fish since January 22 on the lunar year. Currently, the time is much later. After placing a thick layer of pig bones on the bottom of the pot, chopped fish are placed in and covered with a thin layer of fresh alpinia; accordingly, layers of alpinia and fish are put alternatively. After all, pour water into the pot and place it onto the wood fire. As the pot boils, the soy sauce is decanted into the pot to omit any impurities.

In order to have  tasty, aromatic and tough braised fish but still soft flesh and long-preserved quality, the soy sauce is added after every night. This step is repeated many times in 6 to 8 days, then stop the fire and keep the pot warm. Adding the soy sauce must be careful to avoid being salty and the pot is drained any water. The fish chops must be dry. The dish must be shining, not too dry but not too wet, fragrant and rich with vivid colors. The flesh is perfectly cooked, firm, having dark yellow of soy sauce, pervading the spicy and aromatic smell of alpinia; pig bones taste delicious

In the Tet banquet of An Vy, if Chung Cake, chicken, spring rolls are typical dishes of national cuisine, the braised fish is the exclusive cuisine of An Vy to which An Vy citizens would like to remind their children of their homeland.

Tourists visiting to Hung Yen can take time to enjoy An Vy braised fish to feel the special tastes of a simple local dish